Tag: National Basketball Association

TP says he ready for games to begin

Excuse Tony Parker for wanting the games to start as soon as possible for the Spurs.

After playing for the French National Team and his ASVEL Villeurbonne French team, Parker said he is more game-ready than he’s been at similar points of recent training camps.

“It’s like my third training camp,” Parker said.

It’s led to pronounce that training camp isn’t getting harder for him, despite turning 29 in May.

“I’m not not going to say it’s boring, but we do the same stuff and run the same plays,” Parker said. “After 11 years, it’s the same stuff but we have to do it because we have a lot of young guys and new guys too. You have to do it and with the national team we run the same plays. So, it’s the same thing.” 

But Parker was careful to emphasize that he didn’t say he was disinterested in getting ready for his 11th NBA season.

“No I didn’t say that,” Parker said, chuckling. “I knew you would say that. I didn’t say that … but almost.”

Pop not looking at ’99 season as template

The NBA’s last strike-shortened season provided unprecdented success for the Spurs.

The 50-game season in 1999 was culminated by the Spurs’ first NBA championship and a 37-13 record that represents the fourth-highest season winning percentage in team history.

But that season or how the team played then doesn’t matter much now to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

“I’m not sure there’s a relationship between what’s going to happen this year and 10 years ago or six years ago or 12 years ago,” Popovich said. ”This year is what it is and we’ll just play this year out. I don’t remember the last time I’ve believed in omens.”

The 1999 season was an interesting one for Popovich and the Spurs. The Spurs stumbled to a 6-8 seart before finishing by winning 46 of their final 53 games including the playoffs.  They punctuated that season by winning the NBA Finals in five games over New York.  

Popovich added that any secrets he might have learned during that short season won’t provide much help this year.

“If I learned anything, it’s already in there,” Popovich said. “I’m not sure I can pull it out right now. It’s probably in there some place.”

Spurs can be begin contact with free agents this morning

It will be humming as usual on Spurs Lane in northwest San Antonio for a change Wednesday morning.

For the first time since July 1, NBA players will be welcomed back to team training facilities. Voluntary workouts and physicals will begin Thursday.

And team officials can begin talking to potential free agents at 8 a.m. CT today, although deals cannot be offered and no contracts can be signed until Dec. 9.

It’s a start to the 2011-12 season.

Spurs Nation can hardly wait.